India, Nov. 23 -- At least four jackals escaped their enclosure at the National Zoological Park in Delhi on Saturday morning, triggering an urgent search operation across the forested belt behind the animal enclosures, officials aware of the matter said. The incident occurred between 10 and 11am and renewed concerns over the zoo's preparedness and recurring lapses in animal management.

Zoo authorities did not issue any statement or respond to queries from HT, but multiple officials, requesting anonymity, confirmed that the jackals breached the enclosure from the rear, away from visitor pathways, and entered the dense forest patch forming the zoo's boundary. This prevented any immediate threat to visitors, who remained largely unaware of ...